OREANDA-NEWS. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the Turkish army will occupy the city of Kobani, located on the Turkish-Syrian border, as part of the “Source of Peace” military operation. It's reported by the Turkish media.

According to him, various rumors are circulating on this topic, but official Ankara learned through diplomatic channels that the Russian authorities are positive about the Turkish troops occupying Kobani. “It seems that there will be no problems. We are negotiating with Russia at the military and diplomatic levels”, the president said.

He also announced Turkey’s plans to provide a safe entry to the city of Manbij for the Syrian army. At the same time, Erdogan said that the Turkish contingent won't enter the city. The head of state recalled that Ankara had an agreement with the United States on Manbij, according to which all terrorists should have been withdrawn from this settlement within 90 days, but this did not happen. “Now we are in the process of implementing our decision. Manbij must be freed from militants. It will include its true masters - our Arab brothers”, Erdogan added.